Islamic Cairo

This sprawling neighborhood in eastern Cairo encompasses a labyrinth of twisting alleyways and a spattering of awe-inspiring architecture. The atmosphere here will take some getting used to: The streets are crowded, noisy and littered with animal droppings. But if you take the time to adjust to Islamic Cairo's chaotic environment, you won't regret spending time here. As one TripAdvisor user writes, "If [you] didn't go there you didn't visit Cairo."

You'll find a number of top attractions here, including the Khan el-Khalili bazaar, the Salah El-Din Citadel, the Mohamed Ali Mosque, and the Mosque of Ibn Tulun. You're also bound to stumble upon hidden archaeological treasures and architectural gems as you wander Islamic Cairo's maze of streets, which is best done on foot. When you tire of walking, you can kick back and relax with a hot cup of tea at one of the many neighborhood cafés.

You can reach Islamic Cairo via Metro from the Naguib stop or by taxi. To learn more about transportation, visit our guide to Getting Around Cairo. Most of the sites are open every day, although hours of operation and admission prices vary depending on the attraction. To learn more about Islamic Cairo, visit the Egyptian Tourism Authority's website.